Saturday is a big day on Rocky Top for several reasons:

First, the Vols open up SEC play against the Florida Gators under the lights in Neyland Stadium, and secondly, the University of Tennessee will be honoring the 1998 National Championship team.

First-year coach Jeremy Pruitt knows that fans in Knoxville have high standards, and he wants to create and deliver a product that fans will be proud of as soon as possible.

To Pruitt, bringing in the ’98 team is more than just a nod to some players who were successful once upon a time.

“I think it’s great for Tennessee, I think it’s great for those guys,” said Pruitt. “I hope those guys get around our guys. The most important people to me in the program are the players. The guys who worked, sweated, bled to build this university to what it is. Those guys have done it at the highest level. I want them around our guys, I want them around our program, and hopefully some of what they had will rub off on the people around here.”

It’s clear that Pruitt understands what is necessary when rebuilding a program. He wants accomplished players to come in and change the attitudes of his guys. He wants his young roster to glean what they can from Tennessee products who have experienced success at the highest level.

Saturday night is a big night for Pruitt and the Vols. We’ll see if they can get this program back to prominence quickly.